Strategies for Agencies to Map Out a Successful Road to Recovery: On-Demand Webinars
Innovation. Growth. Not typically two words that your agency is thinking about these days in the midst of a global pandemic. But recently, four of our fellow Big “I” state associations (New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas) joined together to host a one-day, virtual summit to provide agencies with strategies to map out a…
Flood Stealing Your Time? Never Fear, Your Team is Here!
F-L-O-O-D. That little five-letter word so many agents and CSRs dread. I don’t have time to dedicate to my flood book! It’s so hard to keep up with the changes and rules! I cringe when a client says they need flood insurance! If that sounds like you, it’s time to call the Flood Concierge Team…
Agreed Value
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 5, 2020 QUESTION I hope you are doing well despite everything that is going on and that you and your family are safe and healthy. I’ve taken several of your classes and I think you would be able to…
GarageKeepers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2020 QUESTION Carrier added a form MM9920 to a Garagekeepers policy and they won’t remove it. Is this form mandatory? Thank you
Registry News: Essential vs. Non-Essential Transactions During Pandemic
The RMV continues to act out of an abundance of caution throughout the duration of Governor Baker’s State of Emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To adhere to the Governor’s plan to safely reopen Massachusetts, the only transactions that will be processed at Service Centers are those that the RMV considers “essential.” Effective…
BOP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 11, 2020 QUESTION I hope you are doing well through all this! We have a question… We are quoting a hotel. They have a management company that pays all the expenses and collects receipts. In the event of a…
Registry News: Attleboro B2B Service Center Opening May 26
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is opening an additional dedicated B2B Center at the Attleboro RMV next Tuesday, May 26, 2020. This is in addition to the existing Milford, Wilmington, and Chicopee dedicated B2B Service Centers. New IRP transactions will not be processed at the Attleboro B2B but will still be conducted at the Milford and Wilmington Service…
CARVANA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that is purchasing a vehicle from Carvana online . They are asking me to stamp the RTA form and send it back to them. They send me the title but said they…
Reopening: Template for Creating Written Control Plan
All businesses in the state of MA (including those deemed essential, such as insurance agencies) are required to develop a written control plan outlining how the workplace will comply with the mandatory safety standards for operation in the COVID-19 reopening period. The state has created a template that may be filled out to meet that…
DOI Calls for Carrier Flexibility in the Administration of Vacancy Clauses
The Division of Insurance (DOI) has issued Bulletin 2020-17, dated May 18, 2020, which acknowledges the fact that many MA businesses not deemed essential were required to close, and advising all property and casualty carriers in MA that they “should be looking for all ways to be flexible in counting days of vacancy to provide…
We Know Flood Insurance & We Can Help You!
Warning! Heavy rains are on the radar, especially this time of year! Anywhere it rains – it can flood. Are your insureds ready and protected with this important coverage? Do you offer flood to every insured? Why do we ask? Consider these statistics:
Mortgagee Question
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2020 QUESTION I hope all is well with you. Hoping you can shed some light as I’ve been going back and forth with insured and bank on this. Bank is requesting to be listed as a Mortgagee for…
Registry News: RMV is Defining Its New Normal & Your Feedback Can Help
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is currently looking at all of its workflow processes to determine what the “new normal” will look like as Massachusetts moves toward reopening. MAIA spoke with the RMV and learned that there will be both short- and long-term changes, but these are still in the discussion stage. Rest…
Operators and the MAP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 15, 2020 QUESTION We have a potential client that bought a car for his grandson but kept it in his own name until grandson was 18. About 9 months after grandson got his license he was in an accident…
Pre-Existing Damage
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION First and foremost, hope you are all safe… if not sane! Irene, as I texted you this morning, thanks for calling me back and leaving a voicemail yesterday, so sorry I missed you. Given you are…
Voluntary Revocation of Operating Authority: Q&A from FMCSA
Many companies that operate apportioned, plated tractor trailers registered under IRP have suspended operations, and may be considering voluntary revocation of their operating authority. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received numerous questions about this, and agents may be getting questions about the related insurance ramifications. The FMCSA has created a Q&A sheet,…
IRP Renewal Typo
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION One of my customers received an IRP renewal application to be completed in May. The application is calling for the actual mileage from 7/1/19 to 6/30/2020. If the insured is suppose to return the application before…
Extension on 7 Day Law
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION We were wondering whether the police and the registry are enforcing the 7 day plate registration transfer law. Dealers that aren’t on the drive program are having a very difficult time getting appointments for their transfers.…
Reopening Guidelines & Safety Standards for Massachusetts
This week, Governor Baker released a phased approach for reopening the Massachusetts economy. As ‘essential’ businesses, insurance agencies have been allowed to remain open as long as they adhere to Massachusetts’ mandatory safety standards for workplaces, including social distancing measures. Nevertheless, many agencies have chosen to close their physical premises and limit customer contact. MAIA…
PIP and Med Pay
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION A client, a personal injury attorney, requested we remove $25000 of Medical Payment coverage from her auto policy because her company (Travelers) would not provide Medical payment until…..coverage was exhausted from PIP, her Personal Health policy,…
Tech Talk: Will This COVID-19 Good Deed Hurt Your Customer?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Registry News: Springfield B2B Service Moving to Chicopee
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in an effort to continue protecting RMV staff, customers, and business partners, the RMV is moving B2B service for Western Massachusetts to the Chicopee RMV Service Center, effective Monday, May 18. In following ‘social-distancing’ practices, the Chicopee RMV will exclusively perform drop-off B2B transactions / bundles only …
Registry News: Registration Renewals & Reactivations for Secondary Vehicles
CORRECTION The original RMV handout on Renewing and Reactivating Registrations had an incorrect mailing zip code. If you are mailing a Registration and Title Application (RTA) to the RMV, the correct address is: Registry of Motor VehiclesP.O. Box 55895Boston, MA 02205-5895The correct information is reflected in this revised handout. Registration renewals and reactivations for secondary vehicles such as…
Share Your Opinions with Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board
Last week, Governor Charlie Baker announced the creation of a Reopening Advisory Board to help his administration develop strategies to reopen the economy in phases, based on health and safety metrics. They have posted an online form for those who want to share input with the Advisory Board. Your comments will be reviewed and taken into…
DOI Allows Temporary Insurance Producer Licenses with No Exam
With insurance producer license exams suspended due to COVID-19, some eligible applicants were unable to obtain a license in Massachusetts. In response, the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has authorized the issuance of temporary individual insurance producer licenses without requiring an exam. The temporary policy is effective immediately and will extend until after the State…
Is Your Website an Unintentional E&O Risk?
Your agency’s website is the cornerstone of your operational and marketing strategy – especially now, when practically everything’s happening online! But certain statements, omissions, even words like “expertise” or “24/7” can actually work against you when defending an E&O claim. E&O provider Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and the Big “I” Trusted Choice team have created…
Keep Your Contact Info at Your Customer’s Fingertips
Order customized vinyl registration holders from MAIA, and your customers will have your number where and when they need it. Imprinted with your agency’s branding, these vinyl holders are designed to fit the 8.5” x 11” (folded) MA registration form and an accident card to record the needed information. With a pocket for your business…
2020 Big ‘I’ Virtual Legislative Conference – Let’s ALL Register Today!
MAIA is urging ALL members to register for the Big “I” Virtual Legislative Conference May 12-15, 2020. It’s free, it’s important, and the more registrants, the stronger the message to our lawmakers that these issues are important! Each day at 2:00 p.m., you can tune in for a 45-minute session and hear from insurance legislators,…
Registry News: Class D & M Road Tests Canceled through May 18th
The MA RMV has canceled all passenger and motorcycle road tests (Class D & Class M) through Monday, May 18, 2020. (They previously had been canceled through May 4th.) However, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) road tests are still being conducted. Please visit the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/rmv-covid-19-information for the most…
MAP Coverage & License Suspension
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 27, 2020 QUESTION May I ask a question, please, about the MAP?If an insured is driving on a suspended license, are any of his coverages voided? We have an insured whose license was suspended and his reinstatement hearing, scheduled…
Registry News: Essential Transactions, Appointments & Where to Find Help
During the COVID-19 state of emergency, Massachusetts has gone from 30 RMV service center locations and multiple AAA locations down to eight locations for the entire state (plus two that are designated commercial-only) to maintain social-distancing for the safety of customers and staff. MAIA’s member relations advocate Kathy Cormier has compiled some facts and guidelines…
Hartford Flood Launches New Online Portal
If your agency is a Hartford Flood broker through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, don’t forget that Hartford Flood will be moving to a new online portal on Friday, May 1, 2020. All users will receive two separate welcome emails delivered to their emails on file on April 30th & May 1st with instructions for…
Hospitality Liquor Coverage During COVID-19
MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency wants to remind agents that we are here to help you with access to Hospitality Mutual coverage if you need it! Hospitality has done an excellent job with accommodating insureds during the COVID-19 crisis. They have:
BAP and Covid-19
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 22, 2020 QUESTION Curious if you’ve had feedback/questions from agencies about commercial auto during Covid. Some carriers are “allowing” us to decrease limits on some or all vehicles until client is back to work. We are hesitant to offer…
RMV Non-Essential Transactions
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 22, 2020 QUESTION We have received a notice from the Springfield Registry that they will not register a trailer for one of our clients since it is “non-essential” vehicle. Is this true?
Registry News: Paying Vehicle/Trailer Sales Tax Online
With RMV service centers closed for all but essential services, sales tax for a motor vehicle, trailer, camper, motorcycle, etc. must be paid online to avoid late penalties or interest. The RMV has issued instructions and a link to the MA Department of Revenue (DOR ) MassTaxCollect site where these transactions can be completed. The…
RMV Appointments
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 22, 2020 QUESTION We have a customer trying to schedule an appointment on the Registry’s site, it seems there are no appointments available at any branch for a vehicle registration transaction (new or transfer), I tried it myself, only…
Dirt Bikes
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 21, 2020 QUESTION Do dirt bikes need a registration if they will only be used off road? Also does the trailer that carries it (250#) need a plate?
MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual – The MA Auto Writer’s Bible!
If you write auto insurance in Massachusetts, MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual (RPM) might just be your dream come true. Imagine an all-in-one online RMV resource that’s easy to navigate, keyword-searchable, well-organized, and automatically updated whenever things change. It’s got all the latest ATLAS forms and instructions, and even a brand new COVID-19 section. First-time subscribers…